DNA SECTION OF HPD'S CRIME LAB CURRENTLY OUTSOURCING CASES!

IT'S NOT QUITE CLOSED FOR BUSINESS BUT...

The DNA section of Houston Police Department's Crime Lab has been temporarily closed, but officials have said they'll be outsourcing the work to another agency.

The decision came after HPD Crime Lab head Vanessa G. Nelson resigned after allegations she improperly administered the lab's proficiency exam, Capt. Bruce Williams told FOX 26. The lab will remain closed until the department finds a new head.

Nelson, co-worker Sujatha Yarlagadda and a third employee are accused of
partaking in an open discussion the crime lab's proficiency test, such as advising employees what they should be looking for and how to identify specific body fluids, according to an official HPD statement. Yarlagadda was suspended indefinitely, and the third employee is temporarily suspended.

"In keeping with our policy of transparency, and because of the time, energy and over $5 million that we have spent bringing the crime lab up to standards and achieving accreditation, it is critical to maintain the highest integrity of the HPD Crime Lab," HPD Chief Harold Hurtt said in a prepared statement.

A new test was administered to the employees who took the crime lab test under question, according to the statement!